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Powerful and destructive helicopter x3 hybrid

The Euro copters X3 high-speed hybrid helicopter demonstrator, which made its maiden flight on September 6, 2010, has reached the programmes Step 1 speed objective by attaining a true airspeed of 180 knot in level flight at reduced level of engine power.

In the flight testing performed thus far, the flight envelope has been opened with and without autopilot to validate the basic hybrid demonstrator aircrafts stability and handling characteristics. The X3 has reached an altitude of 12500 feet performed man oeuvres with left and right turns at bank angles of up to 60 degrees.

The X3 flights to date were performed by Euro copter test pilot, Herve Jammayrac, and flight test engineer, Daniel Semioli,at the French DGA test facility in Istres.

“The X3 has performed extremely well, demonstrating handling and flight qualities that are exactly in line with our ground-based simulator evaluations,” Jammayrac said.”This helicopter is really built for speed, and our test team looks forward to taking the x3 to the next steps of its flight regime.”

The Euro copters X3 high-speed hybrid helicopter demonstrator, which made its maiden flight on September 6, 2010, has reached the programmes Step 1 speed objective by attaining a true airspeed of 180 knot in level flight at reduced level of engine power.

In the flight testing performed thus far, the flight envelope has been opened with and without autopilot to validate the basic hybrid demonstrator aircrafts stability and handling characteristics. The X3 has reached an altitude of 12500 feet performed man oeuvres with left and right turns at bank angles of up to 60 degrees.

The X3 flights to date were performed by Euro copter test pilot, Herve Jammayrac, and flight test engineer, Daniel Semioli,at the French DGA test facility in Istres.“The X3 has performed extremely well, demonstrating handling and flight qualities that are exactly in line with our ground-based simulator evaluations,” Jammayrac said.”This helicopter is really built for speed, and our test team looks forward to taking the x3 to the next steps of its flight regime.”

Having already surpassed the speed of a traditional helicopter, the next milestone for the demonstrator is the Step 2 phase at Euro copters headquarters in Marignane, France, where the X3 will enter a second set of flight tests during which it is expected to reach sustained cruise speeds in excess of 220 knots.

The X3 utilizes a Euro copter Dauphin helicopter airframe .It is equipped with two turbo shaft engines that power a five-blade main rotor system, along with two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings.This hybrid configuration creates an advanced transportation system that offers the speed of a turboprop-powered aircraft and the full hover flight capabilities of a helicopter.

It is tailored to applications where operational costs, flight duration and mission success depend directly on the maximum cruising speed.

The X3 combines excellent vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with its designed fast cruise speeds of more than 220 knots. Euro copter envisions a wide range of applications for this concept, including long-distance search and rescue (SAR) missions, coast guard duties, border patrol missions, passenger transportation and inter-city shuttles services.It could also be well-tailored for military missions in Special Forces operations, troop transportation, combat SAR and Medical evacuation-benefitting from the hybrid aircrafts combination of higher cruise speeds with excellent vertical takeoff and landing performance.